Photocomposing machine



Jan. 6, 1953 v E."w. DINGA 2,624,793

PHOTOCOMPOSING MACHINE Filed March 25, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 34' IN VEN TOR "tZg g ATTORNEYS Jan. 6, 1953 E. w. DINGA 2,624,798

PHOTOCOMPOSING MACHINE Filed March 23, 948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR BY Z9 @MMWTTORNEY;

Jan. 6, 1953 E. w.} DINGA PHOTOCOMPOSING MACHINE MJQ 3 Sheets$heet 5 Filed March 23, 1948 F 9 6 EVALUAT E TYPE EVALUATE TYPE EVALUATE TYPE INVENTOR Patented Jan. 6, 1953 UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE PHOTGCOMPOSING MACHINE Emil W. Dinga, Eiayside, N. Y., assignor to Mergenthaler Linotype Company, a corporation 'of New York 17 Claims.

This invention relates to photo-composing machines, that is to say. machines wherein selected type characters are composed in line photographically.

Heretofore, many machines of this sort have been proposed. However, none of these machines is being used commercially to any great extent, especially in the newspaper and book publishing fields which demand that the printed matter be well defined or sharp in outline and the characters be properly spaced apart. In these branches of the printing industry, it is also important that the composing machine .be .such that different type. faces may beacomposed in line.

Prior photo-composing machines have either failed to satisfy theserequirements .or they have been so highly complicated as to be too costly to build or too slow :inoperation.

The foregoing and other well known objections are overcome by the present invention which provides for thefirst time a keyboard controlled composing machine embodying the principles of electronics.

In practicing the invention, the individual type characters to be, composed in line arexselectively scanned from a font or series'ofrtype characters associated with the screen :in onecathode 'ray tube, the resultant impulses utilized ;to create .in a second cathode ray tubeiimages .QfJthe characters so scanned, :and 'theimages then photographed onto a light sensitive member in a predetermined spaced relationship with respect to one another.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the scanning of the selected characters is effected in theconventional manner, that is to say, by a beam of electronsthat vibrates in two :planes, but the amplitudesof these vibrations are restricted to the extent that the beam scans a substantially square area slightly larger than the area occupied by the largest character in the font. Normally, the-vibrating beam of electrons is directed towards the center of the screen. In response to the operation of a .key on a keyboard, however, the beam is shifted until it is caused to scan a selected character. As the beam scans this character, impulses are generated on the .signal lead-or electrode leading from the screen and these impulses are utilized to create in, a second tube afull in complete image of the character thus scanned. As the image is so produced, alight sensitive member is exposed thereto for .a predetermined .length of time to create a photograph of the character,

after which the member is moved ,a distance determined by theset width of the character.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the scanningof theselected character is effected in panoramic fashion by a beam of electrons that vibrates in a single plane only. The amplitude of vibration-of. the beam is made such that it is slightly greater thanthe'height of the tallest character .in the font. In response to the operation of a key on a keyboard, this vibratin beam is shifted until it is adjacent .one edge of a selected character and then it is moved progressively across this character. As the beam travels across the character, impulses are generated on the electrode leading from the screen. The impulses thus generated are utilized to create on the screen in the second tube an image of the character being scanned in the form of illuminated sections thereof. As the image is so created on the screen in the second tube, a light sensitive member is moved in front of it, with the result that a photograph thereof is progressively created on the light sensitive member. In addition, means are provided for arresting the movement of the light sensitive member after it hastraveled a predetermined distance, the arrangement being such that the photographs of characters created on the member will bear spaced relationship determined by the varying set widths of the different characters.

Referring to the drawings Fig. 1 is a schematic view of that embodiment of the invention wherein full images of selected characters are created and photographed.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of that embodiment of the invention wherein images of selected characters are progressively created and photographed.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the two motion switch and the electrical connections leading therefrom to control the operation of the rotary switch employed in the first embodiment of the invention for moving theifilm.

Fig. 4: is an enlarged view of a portion of the screen associated with the transmitting tube employed in the first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged .view of a portion of the screen associated with the transmitting tube .em ployed in the second embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a View showing a composed'line of type characters selected from the screen associated with one transmitting tube, a composed line of type characters selected from the screen assoob ated with a second transmitting tube, and a com-- 3 posed line of type characters selected from both screens.

Fig. '7 is a view showing a condensed and an expanded character; and

Fig. 8 is a schematic View of the circuits associated with the drum employed in the second embodiment of the invention for progressively moving the electron beam across a selected character.

In the first embodiment of the invention wherein full or complete images of selected characters are to be created and photographed, the apparatus employed comprises an electrically operated keyboard ID, a pair of Monoscopes or transmitting tubes l2, a Kinescope or receiving tube i3, and a camera having a lens I4.

While the keyboard I may be of any standard type, the one employed, and a portion of which is shown, comprises ten horizontal and ten vertical rows of keys marked with index characters for a font or series of one hundred different type characters.

As is well known, both types of tubes are somewhat similar in construction, each tube being provided with a screen li l2 |3 a gun portion l2, l3 for generating and directing a beam of electrons towards the center of the screen, and a pair of plates or yokes H, V which, when energized by alternating current, serve to deflect the beam in two planes. In accordance with the present invention, the energization of the yokes H, V is effected by means of an oscillator IS, the output of which is fed to the yokes through amplifiers IE to I9 inclusive.

Also, in accordance with the present invention, the so-called first grids of the gun portions of the tubes are all connected to a brightness control unit 20 by means of which the first grid is normally floating with respect of the cathode under which condition no electron beam is formed.

The two types of tubes, however, difier from one another in that the screen l3 in the receiving tube I3 is of the fluorescent type which, when bombarded by a beam of electrons, serves as a transducer, absorbing electrical energy and emitting light, whereas the screens H l2 in the transmitting tubes ll, l2 comprise a metal plate having a pattern thereon which, when bombarded by a beam of electrons, generates a potential or impulse on the signal lead or electrode H I2 which leads from the plate.

In accordance with the present invention, the patterns on the screen in each of the transmitting tubes |2 make up a font or series of one hundred different type characters, preferably arranged in ten horizontal and ten vertical rows to accord with the arrangement of like characters on the keys of the keyboard. The type faces of the characters in the two transmitting tubes |2, however, may differ from one another. For example, the characters in tube I may be Bodoni and the characters in tube l2 may be Caslon.

The two transmitting tubes ll, l2 are so arranged that in response to the operation of a control switch 2| positioned adjacent the keyboard, one or the other may be operatively connected through an amplifier 23 to the gun portion |3 of the receiving tube l3. To this end, the signal leads or electrodes ll |2 leading from the two tubes l2 are connected to the two contacts, 22 22 of a switch 22. Normally, a contact 22 serves to operatively connect the electrode leading from tube to the receiving tube l3. When the control switch 2| is operated, how-- ever, a circuit is completed through the winding of a relay 22 which then functions to open contact 22- and to close contact 22 and thus connect the other transmitting tube E2 to the receiving tube |3.

The camera comprises a light tight compartment (not shown) in which is mounted the Kinescope 3 and the lens M, the lens l4 being positioned between the face of the Kinescope l3 and a film 24 which extends downwardly from a spool (not shown) and thence between a pair of friction rollers 25, 26 one of which is mounted on a shaft 21.

When it is desired to compose a line of characters of a given type face, the tube containing the screen having the type characters of that face is brought into operative position with respect to the Kinescope |3 in the manner explained above. Thereafter the keys on the keyboard II] which represent the selected characters it is desired to compose in line are operated one after another. As each key is depressed, it inaugurates a cycle of operations during which the brightness control unit 20 is rendered operative thereby allowing the beam of electrons generated in the tube to travel towards the center of the screen, the beam vibratedin two planes, the vibrating beam shifted until it is caused to scan the character selected, the resultant impulses utilized to create in the Kinescope 3, a full image of the character being scanned, the image photographed onto the film 24, and the film 24 moved a distance equal to the set width of the image.

To more clearly understand how the cycle of operations is inaugurated and maintained, let it be assumed, for example, that the upper case character W of the Bodoni type face is to be composed in line. Under these conditions, the Monoscope containing this character is brought into operative position with respect to th Kinescope I3, after which the key bearing the index character W is depressed. When this key is depressed, it completes a circuit through the winding of two control relays 28, 29 electrically connected thereto, relay 28 being one of ten electrically connected to the keys in the ten horizontal rows of keys, and relay 29 being one of ten electrically connected to the keys in the ten vertical rows of keys. As soon as this circuit is completed, relays 2B, 29 operate and close switches 28 and 29 to establish circuits that maintain them locked in operative position.

After these relays are locked, the key may be released.

When switch 28 closes, it also serves to complete a circuit through the winding of a relay 30. When relay 30 is thus energized, it closes switch 30 which then functions to complete two circuits, one being through the windings of two relays 3|, 32 in the brightness control unit 20, and the other being through the winding of a motor (not shown) in a time delay relay 33. When the circuit through the windings of relays 3|, 32 in the brightness control unit 20 has been completed, these relays operate to close switches 3| 32 respectively, and in so doing render the control unit operative.

When the brightness control unit 20 has been rendered operative, the beam of electrons generated in this tube is free to travel towards the center of the screen. As this beam travels through the tube, the deflecting yokes H, V serve to vibrate it in two planes, and the input from the oscillator IE to the yokes is so regulated by means of the gain control units I6, I1 associated with the amplifiers, i8, l'l that the amp tudes of vibrations of the beam are such that the beam scans a. substantially square. area slightly larger than the area occupied by the largest character on the screen.

In addition, when relay 28 operates it closes switch 28 and taps in onacloseddirect current circuit having a series of .resistances34 to complete a circuit through the horizontal, deflecting yoke. H of the Monoscope .l I. Where this circuit is tapped in. at switch 28, ,a positive potential obtains by virtue of the fact that ,there is. less resistance inthe positive leg .thanin the negative leg of the circuit- Inconsequence, apositive potential is superimposed on.the horizontal deflection yoke H' of the Monoscope II, and the unbalance in the circuit. is such that the potential thus applied is sufiicient to shift the vibrating beam horizontallyuntilit is in alignment with the character selected.

Likewise, when relay 29 operates, it. closes switch 29 and taps in on a second closed direct current circuit having a series of resistances 35 to superimpose a positive potential uponthe vertical deflection yoke V of the Monoscope l I, and the unbalance in the circuit is such-that the potential thus applied is sufficient to shift the vibrating beam vertically until it is in alignment with the character selected. In other words, in response to the operation of a key on the keyboard l0, the vibrating beam in the Monoscope I l is shifted until it is caused to scan a character that corresponds to the key operated.

As the vibrating beam in the Monoscope H scans the selected character, an impulse is generated on the electrode H leading from the screen H each time the beam traverses the character. These impulses are fed through the amplifier 23 and then delivered to the gun portion W of the Kinescope I3. The brightness control unit 28 having been rendered operative, these impulses cause the intermittent release of electrons which are condensed into beams and directed towards the center of the fluorescent screen. As these beams travel through the tube 13, they are vibrated both horizontally and vertically by the yokes H, V with the result that a full or complete illuminated image of the character being scanned is created on the fluorescent screen w of the Kinescope l3.

As the image of the selected character is thus created on the fluorescent screen l3 a photograph thereof is created on the film 24 through the medium of the lens 14 in a manner well understood.

The time of exposure of the film 24 to the image in the receiving tube [3 is controlled by the time delay relay 33 which, as explained heretofore, is set in motion when a key on the keyboard is operated. After the time for which the delay relay 33 was set has elapsed, it operates to break the circuit through the windings of the two relays 3!, 32 in the brightness control unit 20 at which time these relays operate to open switches 3N, 32 and so render the control unit 20 inoperative. When the brightness control unit 20 is thus rendered inoperative, it again acts to remove the positive grid voltage to render the tube inoperative, at which time, of course, the fluorescent screen in the receiving tube [3 is dark.

After an image of a selected character has been photographed, the film 241s advanced a distance equal to the set widthof the photographed character. In this embodiment of the invention, the film is advanced in accordance with the well known system of spacingtype characters in. ;& composed line wherein theem measureis divided into eighteen units and --the,set width of each character in the font is a multiple ofv one-eighteenth of the em measure. Accordinglythere is provided a so-called two-motion switch 36 of the type commonly used in telehpone exchanges. Since such switches are wellknown, a description thereof is not deemed necess ry her t fl slr say they comprise a sem'i cylinder havingmzhorizontal and vertical roWs of contacts together with means responsive to the opening and closing ,;of two circuits therethrough for moving, a contact arm therein vertically from one horizontal row of contacts to the next and thereafter .rotating the contact arm fromone vertical row .of con.- tacts to the next to bring, the, contactarrn therein into engagement with a selected contact,

In accordance with the present invention, th.e number of contacts in the two-motion. switchtfi corresponds to the number of keys on the keyboard and they are arranged in like manner, In other words, the two-motion switch .376 is provided with one hundred contacts arranged in ten .vertical and ten horizontal rows (Fig 3)..

When a key on. the keyboard it is operated, the contact arm in the two motion switch 35 is moved, into en agement with the contact therein which corresponds to thiskey, this being efiected in two stages through the medium .of a. pairof vibrating or self-interrupting switchest'l, .381 and a pair of rotary switches, 39 to 42 inclusive; as,- sociated with each vibrating switch. The number of contacts on the two rotary switches .39, e9 associated with vibrating switch.31 exceeds by one the number of vertical rows of keys, and the number of contacts on the two rotary switches M, 612 associated with the vibratin switch 38 exceeds by one the number of horizontal rows of keys, the first contact in each. rotary switch being neutral or the starting point of the switch.

When a key on the keyboard is operated,.'it completes a circuit through the winding of a relay 63 which functions, by closing switch 43%, to complete a circuit through the winding of relay 44 associated with the vibrating switch 31. There.- after, relay 44 operates and rocks a pivotally mounted bell crank lever 45 in one direction against the action of a spring 45. As the bell crank lever 45 rocks in this direction, itpulls back a pusher arm ii. carried therebyfrom. one to the next of a series of notches formed in the periphery of a disk 48 mounted on a shaft. Also, as the bell crank lever e5 rocks in this direction it opens the vibrating switch 31 and thus breaks the circuit through the winding of relay it, at which time spring 4% acts to rock the lever 45 in the opposite direction to close the vibrating switch 31 by reestablishing the circuit through the winding of relay 44 and to rotate the-shaft 49 to carry a pair of contact arms 50, 5! mount ed thereon from the first to the second contact on the two rotary switches 39, 40. As soon as the circuit through the winding of relay 44 is reestablished, the above described cycle-of operaticns continues to advance the contact arms-5 l, 5| step-by-step from contact tocontact on the rotary switches 39, 40. The rotation of the shaft 49 is effected against theaction of a spring' 52, a pawl 53 being provided to hold the shaft 49 and the contact arms 5t, 51 in theposition to which they were advanced. All the contacts in the rotary switch 39 are=electrically connected-together, the arrangement being such that a cir- 7 cuit, which is initially established through the first or neutral contact of this switch and through the two-motion switch 36 when a key is operated, is opened each time the contact arm moves from one contact to the next. Each time this circuit is opened, the contact arm in the two-motion switch 36 moves vertically from one horizontal row of contacts to the next. When the contact arm in the two-motion switch 56 reaches the horizontal row of contacts that corresponds with the horizontal row of keys in which is located the key that is operated further movement thereof is arrested by the contact arm of the second rotary switch 46. Accordingly, the contacts on the second rotary switch 46 are so arranged that when a key is operated, a potential is applied to the contact that corresopnds with thevertical row in which the key operated is located. For example, when key W is operated and which is located in the third vertical row of contacts, a potential is applied to the fourth contact, the first contact being neutral or the starting point of the switch, as explained heretofore. When the contact arm 5| engages this contact it closes a circuit which, in by-passing the self interrupting switch 31, prevents further movement of contact arms 56, 5| and thus completes the first stage in the movement of the contact arm in the two motion switch 36. Also, when contact arm 5| engages this contact it renders operative a slow motion relay 54 to inaugurate the second stage in the movement of the contact arm in the two-motion switch by putting in motion the second vibrating or self interrupting switch 38 to advance step-by-step a pair of contact arms 55, 56 mounted on a shaft 51, from one to the next of a series of contacts on the second pair of rotary switches 4|, 42. The second self interrupting switch 38 operates in the manner heretofore explained, that is to say, a pivotally mounted bell crank lever 58 is rocked back and forth under the influence of a spring 59 and the alternate energization and de-energization of a relay 66 to advance the shaft 57 and the contact arms 55, 56 through the medium of a pusher arm 6| carried by thelever 58 and a notched disk 62 mounted on the shaft 57. The rotation of shaft 51 is also effected against the action of a spring 63 and, again, a pawl 64 is provided to hold the shaft 55 and the contact arms 55, 56 carried thereby in 0 the position to which they are moved.

All the contacts of rotary switch 41 are electrically connected together, the arrangement being such that a circuit which is established through the first contact of this switch and through the two-motion switch 36 when the slow acting relay 54 operates, is opened and closed each time the contact arm 55 moves from one contact to the next. Each time the circuit through the two-motion switch 36 is opened and closed in this manner, the contact arm therein is rotated from one vertical row of contacts to the next. When the contact arm in the twomotion switch 36 has been moved to the contact in the vertical row of contacts that corresponds to the vertical row of keys in which is located the key operated, further movement thereof is arrested through the medium of the contact arm 56 of the rotary switch 42. In consequence, the contacts on the rotary switch 42 are so arranged that when a key is operated a potential is applied to the contact that corresponds with the horizontal row in which the key operated is located. For example, when key W is operated and which is located in the eighth horizontal row of contacts as counted from the bottom up, a potential is applied to the ninth contact, the first being neutral or the starting point of the switch. Whencontact arm 56 on the rotary switch 42 engages this contact, it closes a circuit which in by-passing the self interrupting switch. 38 completes the second stage in the movement of the contact arm in the two-motion switch 36 to bring it into engagement with the contact therein that accords with the key depressed.

After the contact arm in the two-motion switch 36 has been so located, it is locked in position. To this end, there is provided a relay 65 which is rendered operative when the circuit which halts further movement of the contact arm in the two motion switch has been completed; When relay 65 operates, it closes a switch 65 and establishes a circuit which serves initially to hold the contact arm in the two-motion switch 36 in engagement with the contact to which it was moved.

Also, when relay 65 operates, it closes a second switch 65 which then serves to establish a circuit through the windin of another relay 66. When relay 66 operates it, in turn, closes a switch 66 and thus completes a circuit that supersedes the initial lock-up circuit established to lock the contact arm in the two-motion switch 36 in its adjusted position.

After the contact arm in the two motion switch 36 has been locked in its adjusted position, the two rotary switches 39 to 41 inclusive are restored to their initial position, this being effected by means of relay 66 which in opening contact 66* of switch 66 breaks the circuit, through the winding of relay 43. When relay 43 is thus deenergized, switch 53' closes and completes a circuit through the windings of two relays 6T, 66. When relay 67 operates, it pulls the pawl 53 out of engagement with disk 33 at which time spring 52 acts to return contact arms 50, 5| to their initial positions of engagement with the first contacts on the two rotary switches 39, 46. Likewise, when relay 68 operates, it pulls the pawl 65 out of engagement with disk 62 at which time spring 63 acts to return the contact arms 55, 56 to their initial position of engagement with the first contacts of the two rotary switches 4|, 42.

As before stated, the two motion switch 36 is provided with ten vertical and ten horizontal rows of contacts which accord with the arrangement of the keys on the keyboard. The contacts which accord with characters of the same set width are connected together and to one of eighteen contacts in still another rotary switch 69 and in proper sequence (Fig. 3). For example, the contacts that accord with the narrowest characters, such as the lower case i, which have a set width of five units are connected together and to the fifth contact on the rotary switch 69 while the contacts that accord with the widest characters, such as the upper case W, which have a set width of eighteen units are connected together and to the last or eighteenth contact (Fig. 5).

When the contact arm in the two motion switch 36 comes to rest it applies a potential to that contact on the rotary switch 69 that accords with theset width of the character scanned and reproduced.

Going back for the moment, let it be remembered that the time delay relay 33 served to render the brightness control unit 20 inoperative after the film 24 had been exposed to the reproduction or image on the fluorescent screen I 3 may be inaugurated.

in the receiving tube 13 for a predetermined length of time. When thetime control relay 33 functioned, it also completed a circuitthrough a third self interrupting switch H1 and through thewinding of a relay "H associated therewith. Thereafter, the switch "50 operates in the manner heretofore explained, with the result that a pivotally mounted bell crank lever '12 associated therewith is rocked back and forth under the influenceof a spring 13 and the alternate energization and de-energization of the relay H. As the lever 12 rocks about its pivotal axis the shaft 21 which carries the'friction roller 25 over which the rum is threaded, is advanced step-by-step a distance equal to one unit, of the em measure, this advance of the shaft. 21 being cheated through the mediumof a pusher arm 74 which is carried by the lever 12, and a notched disk E mounted on the shaft 2?. As the'shaft 2] is so rotated, the dim 2 is likewise advanced step-bystep in front of the. fluorescent screen 13 in the receiving tube i3 adistance equal to one unit of the em-measure. After the film z l'hasadvanced a distance equal toithe set width of the photographed'character, thesclf interrupting switch 1'9 is rendered. inoperative to halt further advance of the film. Accordingly, the shaft 2'! is coupled to a second shaft 16 through the'medium of a magnetic clutch H. ,The second shaft '16 carries a contact arm it that is also advanced step-swa from one'to the'next of the eighteen contacts on the rotary switch 69 in response, to the operation of the self-interrupting switch it. When contact arm 18 is advanced into engagement with the contact to which potential was applied by the two motion switch 36, a circuit is completed which by-passes relay H and hence prevents further rotation of the shaft 2! and the various elements driven thereby. Also, at this time, a circuit is completed through a so-called wipe-out relay 78 which renders the magnetic clutch TI inoperative and thus allows a spring (IiOUShOWIl) to'res'tore the shaft :16 and the contact arm 13 carried thereby to their initial position. In addition, the wipe-out relay [9 when operated, completes a circuit through the twomotion switch'iit to allow the contact arm there- 'in to return to its initial position. Also, the wipe-out relay 3%, when operated, serves to break the lock-up circuits for relays 28, 29 and in this manner'restores the circuit through the keyson the keyboard so that another cycle of operations In addition to the above described arrange ment for restoring the circuits to their initial condition, the keyboard is provided with a wipe- .out key 8| which when depressed'also breaks the lo .Hip circuits through relays 28, 29 to restore the circuits through the keys on the keyboard.

Also, to enable the operator to view the character beingscanned and reproduced, a second Kinescope 13 or receiving tube (not shown) may be mounted adjacent the keyboard and a reprod'uction of the character being scanned created thereon in the saine nanner that a,reproduction of this character is created in theKinescope.

The size of an image thus created depends upon the amplitudes of the vibrations of the beam in "the receiving tube I3 and may be varied by regulating the power input to the yokes H, V from the oscillator 15 by means of the gain control units us it? associated wit the amplifiers 18, I'd. 'For'ex'ample, the size of the image maybe made the same asgthe size of the character sca ned or it"may be enlarged, reduced, or disted in hieightand/ or width. In consequence,

from type characters offagiven point size, images of the same point size or images of larger point sizes may be created on the screen in the receiving tube 13, and these images may be expanded or condensed as desired. In addition, the size of the photographs created from the images may be made the same as the size of the images or they may be enlarged or reduced by re ulating the focal point of the lens Hi. Hence, by combining the versatility of the image creating means with that of the camera, photographs of a great number of sizes and shapes may be obtained from type characters of a given size and face. For each change thus made in the photographic reproductionsof the selected characters, a corresponding change must be made in the film feeding mechanism to insure that the film is advanced after each photographic operation adistance equal to the set width'of the photographed character.

There remains to be described the advance of the film for spacing between words. Such advance is effected by means of a special spacer key which, when actuated, will shift the beam in the manner heretofore described until it is caused to scan a specially provided blank space on the pattern and at the same time put in motion the mechanism for advancing the film a given unit distance. This unit distance may be any one of the eighteen units above described but, for practical purposes, would normally be nine units (representing an en space) or eighteen units (representing an "em space). However, to take advantage of word spacing on either unit basis, two blank spaces on the pattern and two separate keys would be provided, one for the en space and the other for the em space.

While in this embodiment of the invention, the film is advanced according to the units'ystem wherein the em measure is divided into eighteen units, other unit systems may be employed. For example, the em measure may be divided into thirty-six units. Under these conditions, of course, the number of contacts on rotary switch 69 would have to be changed accordingly and the pusher arm and notched disk arrangement for rotating the shaft 2!v would have to be modified to the extent that the advance of the film would be doubled and that contact arm 18 actuatedby shaft '2! would be moved from one contact to the next in response, to the operation of the self interrupting switch'fll, F

In the second embodiment of the invention, wherein an imageof a selected character is progressively created and photographed, the apparatus employed also comprises a keyboard iii, a plurality of Monoscopes 'll, [2, a Kinescope i3, and a camera having a lens I4.

The keyboard employed in this embodiment of the invention is identical with the one heretofore described.

The Monoscopes ll, l2 and the Kinescope l3 employed in this embodiment are similar to those heretofore described save for the fac t that the horizontal deflecting yoke on the Kinescope it is dispensed with. In addition, a cut-off mark is-positioned adjacent and below each character on the screens in the Monosc0pes H, '12.

As in the first embodiment, the gun portions l l 12, 13 of the tubes ll", [2, 13 are connected to a brightness control unit 2i] which as stated heretofore, normally serves to prevent the passage of electron beams through the tubes.

Also, as in the first embodiment, the coupling 1! of one or the other of the Monoscopes II, I2 to the Kinescope I3 is effected by the operation of a control key 2i positioned adjacent the keyboard I0.

In this second embodiment, however, the output of the oscillator I5 is fed through amplifiers It, It to the vertical deflection yokes V only.

Also in this second embodiment, a film 82 is wrapped around a vertically disposed drum 33 positioned behind the lens I4.

The drum 83 is mounted on a vertically disposed shaft 84 journaled in bearings 85, 85 carried by a frame 81, and it is driven by a motor 8%; through the medium of a magnetic clutch 89. The drum 83 is so mounted on the shaft 3d that, while it rotates in unison therewith, it may be moved vertically therealong. In addition, the shaft 84 is provided with a magnetic brake 99 by means of which rotation of the shaft and drum may be arrested.

A second vertically disposed shaft 9I, fixedly mounted in brackets 92, 93 carried by the frame 8?, is positioned adjacent the drum carrying shaft 85. A U-shaped carriage 94 is slidably mounted on the second shaft 9| with its extending arms in engagement with the drum 83 at its opposite ends. Intermediate its ends, the second shaft 9| is provided with a threaded section 95 which engages a worm wheel 96 adapted to be rotated by a worm 91 driven by a motor 98 mounted on the carriage 94, the arrangement being such that when the worm wheel is turned by the motor driven worm the carriage and the drum are moved upwardly or downwardly depending on the direction of rotation of the motor.

When a selected character is to be composed in line, the Monoscope II or I2 containing that character is operatively connected to the Kinescope I 3 in the manner heretofore explained. Thereafter, the key on the keyboard I 0 corresponding to that character is depressed. As this key is depressed, a cycle of operations is inaugurated during which a beam of electrons that vibrates in one plane only is created in the Monoscope. The beam is then shifted to a fixed position adjacent that edge of the character opposite its associated cut-off mark 80, the distance between the fixed position and the cutoff mark being equal to the actual set width of the character. After thebeam has been shifted to its fixed position, it is then drawn across the character, and the resultant impulses are utilized to create on the fluorescent screen I3 in the Kinescope I3, an image of .the character in the form of illuminated sections thereof. As the image of the character is so created on the fluorescent screen I3 in the Kinescope I3, the film 82 is progressively exposed there to to create a photograph thereof. And finally, the movement of the film 82 is arrested after it has advanced a distance equal to the actual set width of the character.

To more clearly understand how this cycle of operations is inaugurated and maintained, again let it be assumed that the upper case character W of the Bodoni type face is to be composed -in line. Under these conditions, Monoscope II which contains this character is brought into operative position with respect to the Kinescope I3 and key W on the keyboard I0 is depressed. In the manner heretofore explained, when this key is depressed, two control relays 28, 29 operate and then become locked in operative position. During the lock-up of the control relays 28, 29 a third relay I I2 is operated to close contact H3 of switch H3. When contact H3- closed, it completed a circuit through the windings of the two relays 3i, 32 in the brightness control unit 20, with the result that these two relays operated and rendered the control unit 20 operative by closing switches 3H and 32*. In other words, when key W was operated, a positive voltage is applied to the grid of the tubes II, I3 which are operatively connected together, with the result that the beam of electrons released by the gun portion of the Monoscope II is directed towards the screen Il contained therein. As this beam travels through Monoscope I I, it is vibrated in a vertical plane only, and the input from the oscillator I5 is so controlled by the gain control unit I1 associated with amplifier I! that the amplitude of the beams vibration is slightly greater than the height of the tallest character on the screen I l In addition and as explained heretofore, when control relays 28, 29 operated, they closed switches 28 29 and thus tapped in on two closed direct current circuits to apply a potential to each of the deflection yokes H, V on the Monoscope II, and the potentials thus applied are sufiicient to shift the vibrating beam to a fixed position adjacent that edge of the selected character opposite the cut-off mark associated therewith.

Also, when the third relay II 2 operated, it served to open contact 3 as well as to close contact I I3 of switch I I3 and thus break a normally closed circuit through magnetic brake 99 and establish a circuit through the magnetic clutch 89 to start rotation of the film carrying drum 83.

At its lower end, the drum 83 is provided with two closed contact rings 99, I00 and an open resistance ring I III, the ends of which are connected to the two contact rings 99, I00 (Fig. 8). A shoe I 02 carried by a conductor I03 which leads from one side of a battery I04 is maintained in sliding engagement with contact ring 99, and a similar shoe I05 carried by a like conductor I06 which leads from the other side of the battery I 04 is maintained in sliding engagement with the other contact ring I00. Thus, there is formed a closed direct current circuit of fixed potential in which is incorporated the resistance ring or element II. A circuit which includes a fixed shoe I01 that is maintained in sliding engagement with the resistance element IOI, is tapped in on this closed circuit and leads through an amplifier I98 to the horizontal deflection yoke H on the Monoscope I I.

When the magnetic clutch 89 is thus rendered operative and the drum 83 starts to rotate, a gradually increasing potential is fed through the amplifier I08 and superimposed upon the horizontal deflection yoke H of the Monoscope II, with the result that the vibrating beam is drawn horizontally across the selected character. As the character is thus scanned, an impulse is generated on the electrode II leading from the screen II in the Monoscope I I each time the beam traverses the character. These impulses are fed through the amplifier 23 to the gun portion I 3* of the Kinescope I3, with the result that intermittent beams of electrons are created and directed towards the center of the screen I3 Inasmuch, however, as the vertical deflection yoke V on the Kinescope I3 is also connected to the oscillator I 5, the beams thus generated in the Kinescope I3 are deflected vertically and in synchronism with the vibrating beam in the Monoscope .I I. Inconsequence, as the selected character i scanned 13 in the Monoscopell, there is created on the screen in the .Kinescope it an image of the character in the form of illuminated sections thereof. As the film 82travels past these sections a photograph of the character is progressively created thereon.

When the vibrating beam in the Monoscope H reached thecut-ofr mark 89 adjacent the edge of thecharacter being scanned, an impulse will be generated on the electrode ll leading from the screen I I and a corresponding light spot will appear on the fluorescent screen w in the Ki'nescope l3 from whence it is directed by a mirror Ill onto a photo-electric cell Hit. The impulse thus generated in the cell N39 is fed through an amplifier I I and thence through the coil of a relay Ill. When relay HI is thus operated, it opens switch Ill and so breaks the circuits set up in response to the operation of the key on the keyboard It? and hence restores the various parts to inactive position prior to the inauguration of a second cycle of operation.

'Since the scanning beam and the film travel at the same speed and since the beam, during'its scanning action ofeach'of the selected characters, travels a distance equarto the actual set-width of that character, the photographs of the characters on the film will be created in spaced relationship determined'strictly by the actual though varying set widths of the'type characters. The

height of the photograph depends on the focal point of'lens I l and on the'amplitude of vibrationof the beams in the receiving tube and since the focalpoint of the lens It may be varied and since the amplitude of vibration of the beams may be varied by regulating the power input from the oscillator l to the deflection yoke by means of the gain control unit associated with the amplifier is, the height of the photographs may be changed to obtain photographs of any desired height within the limits of the size of the receiving tube.

Furthermore, by using other means for moving the vibrating beam across the characters but one which would start simultaneously with the rotation of the film carrying drum 83, and by changing the relative Speeds of travel between the two, it would thus be possible to expand or condense the photographs.

In consequence, by controlling the amplitude I of vibration'of the beams in the receiving tube 13 and by'controlling the relative speeds of travel between the film and the movement of the beam across the character, photographs of a great number of sizes and shapes may be obtained from type characters of a given size and shape. Once the machine is set, however, the photographs 'regardless of their size and shape will be created in spaced relationship determined strictly by the actual though varying set-widths of the type characters from which they are produced since the cut-off marks positioned adjacent these characters determine the advance or" the film in all cases. For like reasons, it is also possible in. this embodiment of the invention to compose "in line characters selected from both transmitting tubes.

After a line of characters has been composed on the film 82, the motor 68 may be started to slide the drum S3 upwardly and then stopped to arrest further movement of the drum after it has been moved the distance it is desired to maintain between lines. The starting and stopping of themotor 93 may be controlled in any suitable 'm'anner'as, for 'ex'arnp'lejby means of a time delay 14 relay (not shown) that is set in motion by means of a line spacing key on the keyboard.

In addition to the above described arrangement for restoring the circuits to their initial condition, they may also be restored by means of a wipe out key 8| which when operated breaks the-circuits through the control relays 28, 29.

Reference has yet to bemade to the advance of the film for spacingbetwe'en words. Here, again, such advance is effected by means -'of a spacer key or keys, representing en and em spaces, which, when actuatedwill shift'the beam to scan specially provided blank 'spaceson the pattern and at the same time put into motion the mechanism for rotating the drumthe equivalent distance. In this instance, however, the extent of movement of the drum or film will be controlled by the cut-cit marks 89 which willbe located in the blank spaces ease to stop the rotation of the drum after the film hasbeen advanced the required distance, that is to say, for an en space or an emspace, as the case may be.

The panoramic scanning of 'a pattern or aselected part thereof, in addition to the advantage it presents inphoto-com'position, avoids the necessity of reproducing all details of the pattern'or selected part at the same time as is the case when scanning with a beam of electrons that vibrates in two planes. Also, panoramic scanning results in simplification of frequency band requirements even to the extent that it makes possible the recording of a pattern or a selected part thereof on magnetic wire, tape or phonograph records forstorage for retransmissionover radio or wire communication systems.

In both embodiments of the invention, the font or series of type characters is shown and described as being applied directly on the screens in the Monoscopes. It is to be understood, however, that equally favorable results may be obtained by using Iconoscopes and projecting the fonts or series of type characters onto the screens'through the medium of a lens from a card or the like positioned outside the tube.

While in both embodiments of the invention a complete font of type characters is associated with the screen contained within the transmitting tube, it is to be understood that other arrangements may be used. For example, the'font of characters may be divided between two or more tubes andeven to the extent of providing an individual transmitting tube for each'character.

Also, while in both embodiments of the invention the impulses generated at the transmitting station are conveyed by wires to the receiving or composing station, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates the transmission of these impulses by radio.

Furthermore, while in both embodimentsof the invention, a single composing station is described, it is to be understood that aplurality of such stations may be employed. For example, one or more stations may be installed in one composing room and others in other composing rooms, and, if desired, these composing rooms may be located in different sections of th'e'c'ountry. Under these conditions, the same type matter may be composed simultaneously at these different stations from a, single transmitting station.

Having thus described myinventicn, I claim:

1. In or for atypog-raphi'cal photo-composing machine, the combination of a cathode raytran'smitting tube having a screen providedwi-th a'series of type characters, means for causing the electron beamin said "tube to vibrate in a single plane and with an amplitude of vibration slightly greater than the height of the tallest character in said series, a keyboard, keyboard controlled means for shifting said beam until it is adjacent one edge of a selected character, means for moving said beam across said character, a single cathode ray receiving tube independent of said transmitting for creating an image of said character in the form of illuminated sections thereof, and means for progressively exposing a light sensitive member to said image to create a photograph thereof.

2. In or for a typographical photo-composing machine, the combination of a cathode ray transmitting tube having a screen provided with a series of type characters, means for causing the electron beam in said tube to vibrate in a single plane and with an amplitude of vibration slightly greater than the height of the tallest character in said series, a keyboard, keyboard controlled means for shifting said beam until it is adjacent one edge of a selected character, means for moving said beam across said character, a single cathode ray receiving tube independent of said transmitting tube for creating an image of said character in the form of illuminated sections thereof, means for progressively exposing a light sensitive member to said image to create a photograph thereof, and means for arresting the move ment of said beam and the movement of said light sensitive member simultaneously after the beam has moved a distance equal to the setwidth of said character.

3. In or for a typographical photo-composing machine, the combination of a keyboard, a cathode ray transmitting tube having a screen provided with a series of type characters arranged in predetermined positions and occupying predetermined areas, a cathode ray receiving tube, means responsive to the operation of a keyboard for automatically shifting the electron beam in said transmitting tube to selected areas, means for scanning the characters occupying the selected areas, means for transmitting resultant impulses to create images of the selected characters in the receiving tube, and means for photographing said images as they are successively created.

4. In or for a typographical photo-composing machine, the combination of a cathode ray transmitting tube having associated with the screen contained therein a series of type characters and a cut-oil mark positioned adjacent one edge of each character, a cathode ray receiving tube having a fluorescent screen, a light sensitive member positioned in front of said receiving tube, means for moving said member past said tube, means for vibrating the electron beam in said transmitting tube in a single plane, selectively controlled means for shifting said beam adjacent that edge of an individual character of said series opposite its associated cut-off mark and for rendering said member moving means operable, means responsive to the operation of said member moving means for moving said beam across said selected character and to the cut-oif mark associated therewith, means responsive to the resultant impulses generated in said transmitting tube for creating on said fluorescent screen an image of the selected character in the form of illuminated sections thereof, and means responsive to the movement of said beam to said cut-01f mark for simultaneously arresting the movement of said beam and said member.

5. In or for a typographical photo-composing machine, the combination of a cathode ray transl '16 mitting tube having associated with the screen contained therein a series of type characters and a cut-oil" mark positioned adjacent one edge of each character, a cathode ray receiving tube having a fluorescent screen, a rotatable drum positioned in front of said receiving tube, a light sensitive member mounted on said drum, means for rotating said drum to carry said member past said receiving tube, means for vibrating the electron beam in said transmitting tube in a single plane, selectively controlled means for shifting said beam adjacent that edge of an individual character of said series opposite its associated cut-01f mark and for starting the rotation of said drum, means responsive to the rotation of said drum for moving said beam across said character to the cut-off mark associated therewith, means responsive to the resultant impulses generated in said transmitting tube during the movement of said beam across said character for creating on said fluorescent screen an image of said character in the form of illuminated sections thereof, and means responsive to the impulse generated in said transmitting tube when said beam reaches said cut-off mark for simultaneously arresting the movement of said beam and said drum.

6. In or for a typographical photocomposing machine, the combination of a cathode ray transmitting tube, a screen associated therewith having a series of type characters arranged in predetermined positions and occupying predetermined areas, a keyboard, means controlled by said keyboard for directing a vibrating beam of electrons at said screen, a plurality of beam deflecting circuits, and means controlled by said keyboard for rendering one of said deflecting circuits operative to scan a selected character on the screen.

7. In or for a typographical photocomposing machine, the combination of a cathode ray transmitting tube, a screen associated therewith having a series of type characters arranged in predetermined positions and occupying predetermined areas, selectively controlled means for automatically shifting the electron beam in said tube to one of said areas, means for vibrating said beam of electrons in a single plane, means for moving said vibrating beam of electrons across the selected character to progressively scan the character, a second cathode ray tube, mean for moving a light sensitive member in front of said image to progressively create a photograph thereof, and means for arresting the travel of said member after it has moved a predetermined distance.

8. In or for a typographical photocomposing machine, the combination of an individual cathode ray transmitting tube having a screen therein provided with a series of type characters, selectively controlled means for automatically producing and deflecting an electron beam in said tube to a predetermined character on the screen. means for scanning said character with the electron beam, means for transmitting the impulses generated in scanning, a cathode ray receiving tube independent of and spacially separated from said trasmitting tube adapted to receive and utilize the transmitted impulses to create images of the selected characters scanned, and means for photographing said images.

9. In or for a typographical photocomposing machine, the combination of a cathode ray tube, a screen associated with said tube having a, series of type characters arranged in predetermined positions and occupying predetermined areas, means for directing an electron beam at said screen, a

plurality of normally inoperative beam deflecting circuits, each associated with a different character of the screen, and a plurality of electrical switches for selectively rendering one of said beam deflecting circuits operative to scan the character associated therewith.

10. A combination as set forth in claim 9, including a single cathode ray receiving tube Ior creating images of the characters scanned in the aforementioned tube, and means for transmitting the impulses generated in the aforementioned tube to the receiving tube.

11. A combination as set forth in claim 9, wherein the electron beam is normally inoperative, and including means for rendering said beam operative after being deflected to the area occupied by the desired character, and means to cut the beam off after the character is scanned.

12. In or for a typographical photocomposing machine, the combination of an individual cathode ray transmitting tube having a screen therein provided with a series of type characters, some of different widths, selectively controlled means for automatically deflecting the electron beam in said tube to predetermined positions to scan individual characters on the screen, means for transmitting the impulses generated in scanning to a cathode ray receiving tube independent of said transmitting tube, said receiving tube creating images of the selected characters scanned, and means for photographing said images on a film in spaced relationship determined by the set widths of the selected type characters.

13. In or for a typographical photocomposing machine, the combination of an individual cathode ray transmitting tube having a screen therein provided with a series of type characters, some of difierent widths, selectively controlled means for automatically deflecting the electron beam in said tube to scan a selected character occupying a predetermined position on the screen, means for transmitting the impulses generated in scanning to a, single cathode ray receiving tube independent of said transmitting tube, said receiving tube utilizing said impulses to create images of the selected characters scanned, a photographic film, means for projecting said images onto said film, and means for intermittently moving said film after each exposure a distance determined by the set width of the character whose image is photographed.

14. In or for a typographical photocomposing machine, the combination of an individual cathode ray transmitting tube having a screen therein provided with a series of type characters, selectively controlled means for automatically producing and deflecting an electron beam in said tube to a particular character, means for progressively scanning the selected character from beginning to end in the form of a plurality of strips or lines, means for transmitting the impulses generated in scanning, a single cathode ray receiving tube adapted to receive said transmitted impulses and to create reproductions of the strips scanned, a photographic film for recording the reproduced strips, and means for progressively moving said film so that the strips will be photographed successively in very close relation to form a composite of the selected character.

15. A combination as set forth in claim 14 including means for cutting off said electron beam after the character has been scanned.

16. A combination as set forth in claim 14 including means for arresting the film after the character has been reproduced thereon.

17. In or for a typographical photocomposing machine, the combination of a plurality of cathode ray transmitting tubes each having a screen therein provided with a, series of type characters, a cathode ray receiving tube, means for operatively connecting one or the other of said transmitting tubes to said receiving tube, selectively controlled means for automatically producing and deflecting an electron beam in said operative transmitting tube to a predetermined character on the screen, means for scanning said character with the electron beam, means for transmitting the impulses generated in scanning from the operative transmitting tube to the receiving tube, means for utilizing said transmitted impulses to create images of the selected characters scanned, and means for photographing said images.

EMIL W. DINGA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,634,390 Zworkykin July 5, 1927 1,978,684 McCreary Oct. 30, 1934 2,073,370 Goldsmith Mar. 9, 1937 2,098,390 Iams Nov. 9, 1937 2,148,166 Kucher Feb. 16, 1939 2,207,716 Bumstead July 16, 1940 2,264,615 Bryce Dec. 2, 1941 2,275,017 McNaney Mar. 3, 1942 2,275,898 Goldsmith Mar. 10, 1942 2,283,383 McNaney May 19, 1942 2,379,880 Burgess July 10, 1945 2,406,311 Deloraine et al Sept. 3, 1946 2,420,029 Brady May 6, 1947 2,429,787 Young Oct. 28, 1947 2,433,340 Burgess Dec. 30, 1947 2,435,840 Morton Feb. 10, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 454,588 Great Britain Oct. 5, 1936 

